Tom Downing

NAGASE America [formerly NAGASE Specialty Materials (NSM)] (NAM) is a North American distributor and manufacturer of specialty chemicals that provides solutions for industries impacting everyday life around the world: coatings; adhesives; inks; plastics; packaging; textiles; automotive; aerospace; personal care; household, industrial and institutional; pharmaceutical; and electronics. NSM was formed in 2020 by the integration of NAGASE America's Chemicals, Personal Care, and Pharmaceutical divisions with Fitz Chem, a specialty chemical distributor that was formed in 1985 and acquired by NAGASE Group in 2017. On April 1st, 2024, NSM was integrated with NAM, complementing its Mobility and Electronics divisions. NAGASE was founded as a specialized purveyor of dyes in Kyoto, Japan in 1832. The NAGASE Group began as a specialized sales agent securing exclusive contracts to sell industry-leading products from around the world in Japan. Over the years, we have leveraged our technology and information gathering expertise—as well as our global network—to transform our business into a hybrid model offering superior manufacturing, processing, and R&D functions as well as trading company services. Today, the NAGASE Group contains 100+ group companies and more than 7,000 team members in 32 countries. Looking forward to our 200th anniversary in the year 2032, we will contribute to society as a Business Designer that creates a sustainable future. As a Business Designer, we bring together our expertise in manufacturing, distribution, R&D, logistics, bio-technology, and digital experience to design never-before-seen solutions that improve our customers’ businesses as well as the lives and health of our planet. With an open approach to innovation and a global network of business partners and local expertise, we are able to bring all of our functions together to consistently deliver what's next.